April 2003

BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION 2003

Atherington has entered the Best Kept Village competition and judging starts anytime after May 1st. Its object is to encourage villages to improve their local environment by caring for buildings, clearing litter and promoting schemes to improve the general appearance of the area. They do not look for architectural merit, prettiness or masses of flowers but for villages which do the best they can with what they have got.

If you see any litter please pick it up and look after the roadside area around your own home. Please do not leave any litter in the playing field or churchyard. Do not forget that we are in the past winners class.

Let's do it again!

WELCOME: To Dan and Linda at High Bickington Shop - we hope it all goes well and that everyone in the village gives you their full support.

THANKS: To Maurice Ridd for his help with getting some shopping for some of our parishioners whilst the shop was closed. This was most appreciated.

IN SYMPATHY: Sadly on the 14th of February Mrs Laura Stenner passed peacefully away at Castle House, Torrington at the grand age of 100yrs. old, where she had been for the past 3 months. The family of Laura would like to thank those who always asked after her welfare and those who sent sympathy cards and a special thanks to John Carvosso for a very nice service. Also thanks to Carole and Rachel for helping with the after service tea. A donation from the service of Ł50 will go to the Children's Hospice.

Kathy Alford.

THANKS: I would just like to say a big thank you to George Taylor for letting me have copies of Mr Winter's booklets about the church and the thank Ramblings for making this possible. An added benefit was that I also received an email from Rosalind, Mr & Mrs Winter's daughter who says her parents are still fit and well even though they are approaching their mid eighties! A testament to the clean air and good living at High Bickington perhaps? If anyone would like to send an Hello to Mr & Mrs Winter I would be glad to pass it on?

Mike Jay.

APOLOGIES: From Myc Riggulsford, Parish Clerk, High Bickington because his computer broke down and he could not get the Parish Council report in this month's Ramblings.

POLICE ALERT: Break in and theft in High Bickington. Many of you will know that Mrs Rudman’s car was broken into outside school on Wednesday 12th March. The CID at Bideford Police Station would like to talk to anyone who heard or saw anyone acting suspiciously during that week.

HIGH BICKINGTON WI

Josie Maskell

We had two visitors at our March meeting. The President welcomed us all and thanked the members who attended the Songs of Praise Service for the WI on 2nd March. She also thanked Millie Finch for hosting the hospice knit-in and providing refreshments.

Names were taken for the April Spring Council meeting and various walks through Eggesford Forest. A Jumble sale is to be arranged for 9th May at 7pm.

Mr Peter Christie, a local historian, was then introduced to us. He gave a most interesting talk on the local Barnstaple lace industry. There were three lace factories in the areas of Rock Park, Rawleigh and Derby. Thomas Heathcote started the one at Rawleigh in 1822. It had five floors and employed 100 people and later it transferred to Tiverton. The factory at Rock Park closed after 12 years having been plagued with flooding, theft and drunkeness!

John Miller built the factory at Derby, also houses nearby for the workers. He also built the Baptist Church in Boutport Street and became a town councillor.

Peter has written a book on the disappearing lace factories which has created a lot of interest. His talk and the old photos he showed us were very much enjoyed by everyone. Peggy Powell gave the vote of thanks.

The competition for a piece of lace was won by Joan Toop. The two raffles by Lin Wheelan and Josie Maskell. Josie Maskell won the flower of the month competition with a pink camelia.

Next month Graham Payne will be our speaker on Rapid U.K. Visitors are very welcome to join us.

Is it a computer virus or a hoax?

Occasionally you may receive an email from someone telling you that they have inadvertently and unknowingly sent you a computer virus with an email. Sometimes this will be true and, unless you have up to date virus checking software installed, you will suffer the disruption that the virus causes.

However, sometimes the 'virus' is actually a hoax and you may well then search your computer for the offending 'virus' and delete it. In doing so you may be deleting an important part of another program unnecessarily. To get information on the internet's many hoaxes, visit the site http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org This site is run by the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory on behalf of the US Department of Energy.

A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.

From the Archives

Researched by Richard Lethbridge, MBE

21st March 1878
COUNTY MAGISTRATES' PETTY SESSION.
BRIDGE HALL, WEDNESDAY.
[Before G. C. Davie, Esq., in the chair: C. H. Williams, Esq., T. J. Dennis, Esq., Col. Hibbert, and Charles Chichester, Esq.]

UNJUST SCALES

Wm. Lake, a small shopkeeper, living at Langridge Ford, in the parish of Atherington, was charged with having in his possession a pair of scales, on the 15th inst., which were unjust to the extent of 1˝ oz. against the purchaser. The case was proved by Supt. Mitchell, who said it was a somewhat aggravated one. He visited defendant's shop on the 15th inst. to examine his scales and weights. It was a small shop at Langridge Ford, frequented by a poor class of customers. he found a pair of large scales in use for weighing flour. On testing them he found them unfair as against the purchaser to the extent of an ounce and a half. He called defendant's attention to it, who said he could not explain it. On examining further he found a piece of cord tied to the upper part of the scales, which answered no purpose except to make them unjust. On removing it the scales were perfectly accurate. Defendant professed that his wife (who was absent at Torrington market on the Inspector's late visit) tied on the cord about six months ago, after the Inspector's former visit, for the purpose of making the scales right. He said he had no idea that they were at all wrong, and attributed it to the fact that salt was weighed in the same scales, and that the moisture caused some of the flour to adhere to the crevices of the scales. The inspector said he made the defendant clean them out himself before he examined them. The scales and the piece of line were produced. Fined Ł1 and costs, which were paid.

15th August 1929
HIGH BICKINGTON

Lieut-Col. P. A. Maxwell presided over a general meeting of High Bickington Association Football Club, when there was a fair attendance. Messrs. F. A. Dunn and H. Pidler were elected captain and vice-captain respectfully. The Club, which was formed in May last, has entered the Northern section of the North Devon League (Junior Division). The club colours are light and dark blue rings, and a ground has been secured, through the kindness of Mr. W. Tucker. The Club officials are: President, Lieut-Col. P. A. Maxwell; hon. secretary, Mr. R. W. Pitman; hon. treasurer, Mr. F. A. Dunn; committee, Messrs. S. Naylor, H. Pidler, W. King, A. Snell, J. Laramy and dr. A. S. Good. There is a great deal of keenness in the village and it is hoped that the Club will have a successful season.

St. Mary’s Guild

Rosemary Munson

The Annual Meeting was held on Monday 10th March at Miss Eileen Thorne's home and there were 10 members present. The Chairman Miss Thorne gave her report and said we had a very successful year. The two outings had been well supported. The Treasurer gave a very comprehensive report and the committee were all re-elected.

OUR SPRING OUTING IS ON APRIL 14TH TO TRURO. We are asking for suggestions for our summer outing.

The next meeting is on Monday 12th May at 2.00.p.m. at the Parsonage.

ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WI

Judith Domleo

At the March meeting Mrs Webber from Witheridge, gave a demonstration on planting tubs & baskets for special occasions, using spring flowers. The hall was a riot of colour and perfume, and we were given plenty of ideas. The competition for a "Pot Plant" was won by Edna Ford with a poinsettia. Edna also won the flower of the month competition with a double cream camellia. Refreshments were served by Jean Lynch, Mair Pluckwell and Ann Allen. Birthday Plants were presented to Mary Burgess, Judith Domleo, Rita Rose and Ann White. 20 members and friends met at Bartridge House for the North Devon Hospice "Sponsored Knit" which raised Ł200.00. Very many thanks to sponsors and knitters and a big thank you to Mary Wilson for providing a delicious tea. 4 members went to Dawlish Warren on a "Bird Watch", but the weather was against us, as we had lashing rain & gale force winds. We did have a very good hot lunch provided by Cofton W.I. We walked down to the Visitor Centre where 2 wardens gave a detailed talk on the history & management of the Warren and the birds we might have seen but for the weather! On the way home we had a warming cup of tea at Powerham Castle Farm Shop. Our next meeting will be at Umberleigh Hall on Tuesday April 8th 7.30pm when Peter Christie will talk on "Prostitution in Victorian North Devon". Visitors very welcome.

High Bickington Methodist News

Hazel Pearce

We thank Mrs Sandra Juniper who very ably spoke at the Women's day of Prayer and all who took part in this special service.

The United Palm Sunday Parade will take place on Sunday, April 13th leaving the Chapel at 2.30pm, walking through the village and ending with a short service in the Parish Church.

On Easter Sunday, there will be a short sunrise service at the top of Codden Hill, Bishops Tawton. More details from Rev Mark Noakes who will also be leading our 11am service in the Chapel.

During the past month the Children's Club have held a games evening and made colourful mobiles.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs Rose Mannering recovering from a cataract operation; with Mrs Meta Thorne (Margaret Squire's mother) who is being wonderfully nursed at Atherington by family and friends; with Betty Rouse who is hopefully soon to be moving into a small flat within the pub premises of her son - about 30 minutes drive from the residential home where Arthur has settled quite happily; and also with Mary Pickard and her sister Hazel Keen whose leg ulcers are so much better but still needing Mary's daily care.

News from High Bickington Church of England Primary School

We are very proud to announce that we have been awarded the Basic Skills Agency Quality Mark. This award acknowledges the highest quality of policy, practice and teaching in the school and celebrates achievements in teaching children to read, write, spell and understand numbers. It is not an easy award to get. It involves the school in meeting the Basic Skills Agency’s 10 elements. It says the school:-

has a strategy and action plan to improve children’s reading, writing and numberwork
assesses children to find out if they need extra help
has a target for improving basic skills in the school
makes sure that children have plans to improve their reading, writing and numberwork
reviews progress made by all the children
provides training for staff so they can teach better
uses different ways of teaching based on what each child needs
has good books and other material to help children improve
encourages parents to help their children with reading, writing and numberwork
monitors whether they are becoming better at teaching basic skills

Assessment was rigorous and thorough, carried out by an outside Assessor, so we are delighted and thrilled to receive the award. The presentation will take place sometime in the near future but we are able to start using the logo on our publicity immediately.

We are also delighted to announce that we have received funding to replace the games and drawings on the playground. The children have spent time designing how they would like the playground to look, and a company called Playlines are going to do the actual painting for us, enlarging the children’s original drawings.

High Bickington United Anglican and Methodist Service

The United Service was at the Methodist Church on Sunday 9th March at 6.30pm. Rev Mark Noakes gave the address. The lessons were read by Stella Burrows and Carol Brown. The collection of Ł43.00 went to BPAG Barnstaple Poverty Action Group. The next United Service will be on Palm Sunday 13th April. Meet for the start of the procession led by a donkey, outside the Methodist Church at 2.30pm. Process through the village to the Parish Church for 3.00pm service with Rev Mark Noakes. EVERYONE VERY WELCOME

POEM FOR APRIL

APRIL SUMMER

The April sounds of summer fall soft upon my ear,
The gentle hum of insects is what I love to hear,
The honey bees are working the early springtide flowers,
Restricted to the sunny warmth of afternoontide hours.

The April sights of summer bring gladness to my eye,
The swallow skimming the tiled roof, against the clear blue sky,
One does not make a summer, so sunny warm and bright
But stay with us newcomer, so welcome to the sight.

The April smell of summer assails my nostrils - sweet -
From piles of new-mown lawn grass behind the pinewood seat;
Despite the unrelenting work its new found growth has meant,
It's worth it over and again for this so pleasing scent.

The April feel of summer is comforting to me;
The westering sun it warms my frame as I sit down to tea.
This break for relaxation, with its scents and sights and sounds,
It is a pause so pleasant that pleasure knows no bounds.

Robert Domleo (4th April 1991)

Thought for the month...

Rev John Carvosso

Dear Friends

‘The Lord was grieved that He had made man on the earth and His heart was filled with pain’ (Genesis 6 v. 6)

It’s hard to think of anything else apart form the tragic events in the Middle East at the moment. What a mess we have all made of God’s world by our selfishness, greed, lust for power .. our sin.

The words from Genesis, written in an earlier age of world crisis .. because of the mess ‘we’ had made of the world of that time (see previous verse) .. are a prelude to God’s judgement through the Flood.

Yet while our attention and prayers for ‘peace’. and our seeking God’s forgiveness/grace, must be centred on these deeply disturbing concerns .. we also need those prayers and that desire for Godly change in so many other areas of our world.

BUT GOD remembered Noah (Gen 8 v. 1) and through him recreated a New world. We need to cling on to this great and gracious hope and promise that our loving Heavenly Father gave and has been fulfilled in the Lord Jesus.

After the deep pain and sorrow that God bore for us through Jesus’ death on the Cross comes that ringing affirmation of His continuing love for His people and their bright future if lived with Him .. the amazing events of EASTER Day.

Yours in His wonderful Service

John

One for the golfers ...

Four elderly golfers were playing a round of golf but had waning enthusiasm for the sport.

"These hills are getting steeper as the years go by," one complained.

"These fairways seem to be getting longer too," wheezed a second.

"And somehow, the bunkers seem to be bigger than I remember them too," said the third.

Having heard just about enough from his friends, the oldest, and the wisest of the four at 87-years-old, piped up and said, "Oh my friends, just be thankful we're still on this side of the grass!"

Devon's pictorial heritage available on the internet

Details of more than 3,500 engravings of Devon's unique architecture and landscape are now available on the world wide web. ‘Etched on Devon's Memory’ has taken the engravings of Devon and scanned them into a computer so they are available in digital form, thus ensuring the continued preservation of the illustrations and making them more accessible to the public.

Castles, coastlines, churches, cathedrals and cottages are all covered in the illustrations listed in John Somers Cocks's 1977 reference work, Devon topographical prints, 1660-1870: a catalogue and guide.

The project website can be viewed at http://www.devon.gov.uk/library/locstudy/etched.html

Doctor: "Take the green pill with a glass of water when you get up.
Take the blue pill with a glass of water after lunch.
Then just before going to bed, take the red pill with another glass of water."

Man: "Exactly what's my problem, doc?"

Doctor: "You're not drinking enough water."

Professionals built the Titanic

Amateurs built the ark

Go to May 2003 issue